New Police Authority Line Up
North Wales Police Authority has re-elected its Chair, Alun Lewis for another one-year term and a new Vice Chair, Nia Evans to help steer the work of the Police Authority. The Police Authority is an independent body made up of local people responsible for the strategic direction of policing in North Wales and to hold the Chief Constable to account.
Alun Lewis, who lives in Llangollen, joined the authority eight years ago. He said: “I am very proud to be re-elected as Chair of the Authority and will continue to work with the Force, to ensure that North Wales remains a safe place to live and work.”
“Over the last year we have had to make some difficult decisions around funding and the future of policing. We consulted extensively with our partners and obtained the views of the public in our role as the bridge between the community and the Force.”
“We will face new challenges over the coming year and I look forward to working closely with Nia to tackle these.”
“I would like to express thanks to our former Vice Chair Douglas Wynne and also to Cllr Ian Gunning, who served as committee Chair of Performance Review and Cllr Chris Bithell, who was Chair of the Professional Standards Committee.”
Nia Evans, manager of the family-run post office in Llanfairpwll who joined the Authority as an Independent Member in 2010 has been appointed as the new Vice Chair taking over from retired magistrate Douglas Wynne.
She said “When I joined the Authority, I hoped I could make a positive contribution and a difference.”
“The Authority has an important role to reach out to people across North Wales including those harder to reach groups. I am looking forward to working jointly with the Force in developing our Single Equality Scheme which will involve engaging with these groups.”
“The Authority must be representative of the community it serves. I am especially pleased about the appointment of Jean Bryson as Chair of the Professional Standards Committee. To have two women appointed to senior positions within the Authority is very positive.”
“Over the next year we will be working on preparations for handing over responsibility to a directly elected Police and Crime Commissioner, or whichever mechanism that is selected to replace the Authority. We will ensure this transition is successful, while continuing to ensure North Wales Police provides an efficient and effective service.”
“Our legacy will include strong working regional partnerships with local authorities, the regional police services in the North West of England and across Wales through the Police Authorities of Wales.”
“I look forward to the challenges ahead and will work to ensure that Authority remains effective in its role as the critical friend to the police.”
Other newly appointed positions are Jean Bryson of Conwy, as the new Chair of the Professional Standards Committee and Richard Parry Hughes, who lives in Llwyndyrys, as the new Chair of the Authority’s Performance Review Committee.
Continuing in their former roles are Selwyn Griffiths of Porthmadog as Chair of Resources Committee and Roger Hebden of Old Colwyn as Chair of Audit Committee.
North Wales Police Authority is one of 43 police authorities in England and Wales which oversees the work of its local police force. It is an independent body made up of local people. Together with the Home Secretary and chief police officers, it is responsible for the management of policing in North Wales.
The Police Authority makes sure the local Police Force is efficient and effective and seeks to improve policing performance and standards. Its job is to make sure local people have a say in how their area is policed and to hold the Chief Constable to account for the services delivered.
The Authority also sets the force budget and decides how much money to raise towards the cost of policing through the local council tax.
North Wales Police is one of the best performing forces and the area is one of the safest places to live in the UK.